JACKSON, Wyo. — There are a number of new hunting regulations on the National Elk Refuge this fall for elk and bison hunting.
A daily tag limit of one elk tag per day has been created for the 2023 season. According to the National Elk Refuge, the goal for the daily tag limit is to maximize safety and reduce common law enforcement issues while continuing to provide a quality hunting experience.
Also new this year is an update to bison hunting on the refuge. Since there are few bison hunters this year, the National Elk Refuge is not using hunt periods; bison hunters can obtain a permission slip valid from Aug. 15 to Jan. 1 on the Refuge, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department said.
The National Elk Refuge will be implementing a Hunting Permit Review, to withdraw eligibility from individuals who violate, cause damage to resources or property or create unsafe conditions while hunting on the National Elk Refuge.
“The specific circumstances of each violation or incident will be thoroughly considered when determining if an individual is disqualified from applying for a Refuge Hunting Permit as well as the duration of the disqualification,” the refuge said. “An individual’s Wyoming elk licenses would not be affected if they were disqualified from receiving Refuge access permits.”
The refuge will offer two, two-day youth elk hunt opportunities in November. The refuge youth-only elk hunt will now occur over four days during Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 17 to 19. Youth Elk Hunt Area 1 will be open Thursday and Friday, and Youth Elk Hunt Area 2 will be open Saturday and Sunday.
“For those two, two-day periods, full-priced youth license holders who have applied for and been drawn for a Refuge permit for that period may take any elk,” the refuge said. “There will be one more opportunity for youth hunters to draw Refuge permits for these time periods. Youth hunters may apply for that draw from Friday, Nov. 17 to Sunday, Nov. 19.”
Hunting on the refuge is managed through a cooperative effort between the National Elk Refuge and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
